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Usually done in conjunction with other tops such as Maumonght itself. Driving towards Clifden along the N59, go 2km past the Benlettery Hostel and take the minor road on the right. Continue along this for approx 3km, passing forestry on right where you will find parking space. Head NE across gentle slope for 2km, ascent becoming a little steeper only near the summit, which is unmarked and only identified by a slightly raised grassy bump. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/608/comment/5367/

From Cregg Hill

by markwallace 6 Jul 2014

Halfway up Cregg Hill, around L718 528A (coordinates as they appear in Harvey's Connemara - not GPS), at the edge of a strip of forestry plantation and near a layby with space for 2 cars, there’s a marking-post depicting a walker with an arrow pointing into the bogland to the south and east, and a stile over a fence – this is the Sli Chonamara, a tourism initiative that was never properly developed, but has a legacy of signs and posts.

This sends you down along the forest edge, initially southsoutheast. A path is vaguely discernible (marked as an intermittent path in Harvey), and the ground is solid enough, but somewhat overgrown. At the edge of the forest, the marking-posts send you off slightly to the right, while Maumoght and Bencullagh are ahead and to the left. Still, it’s better to follow the vaguely defined path a while longer than to go across the tough, hummocky, potentially saturated ground. After the path crosses a narrow stream with a fence with stile just beyond it, it’s time to turn left onto open hillside (immediately crossing another fence), and begin the long, mostly fairly gentle climb to Maumoght SW. Harvey’s indicates marshy ground in the area, but this route seems to avoid it (but this was in summer, after a dry spell). From Maumoght SW, Maumoght and Bencullagh are straightforward.

If returning by this route, keep the TV mast on Cregg Hill to your right and try and head for the unnamed hillock at around L733 523B. From here, try and spot the point where the aforementioned fences intersect to get back on the Sli Chonamara. A more direct exit to Cregg seems a natural line of descent but will involve tough or marshy ground.

Overall, Cregg isn’t the most convenient way to get into the Bens, but is doable. The Sli Chonamara from Cregg meets up with the road at Barnanoraun, so it’s possible to descend into the Owenglin valley and pick up the path to Cregg. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/608/comment/17531/

Your Score: Very useful << >>Average

Picture from simon3 : Bin Bhreac from Roundstone Bog.

Picture: Bin Bhreac from Roundstone Bog.

simon3 on Binn Bhreac, 2008

by simon3 1 Jan 2008

Binn Bhreac is probably the sort of peak that you will not specifically search out. It's boggy uncairned top is hardly a match for some of the interesting places nearby such as Bencullagh or even Maumonght.

You might even think that it's borderline as having enough height drop to qualify as a separate top. However according to OSI Trail Master the connecting ridge between it and Maumonght drops to 421m which would make its prominence (33m) just enough to qualify.

So it's probable that you will be incorporating this top in some larger circuit, however if you specifically want to get to it, it's easy enough to reach from various sides. From the west the road to Cregg hill would be a good place to start or from the forestry entrance at L74395130C. If you are completing a circuit on it, know that it's around 750m from Maumonght and if you are coming that way be aware that route for the first 300 or 400m isn't so obvious in poor visibility - there is a sharp drop over a scree run at one point which could easily be confused for being off route.

Our photo shows the top taken from Roundstone Bog with some fortuitous mist behind it as a backdrop. It's much the same view as you get from Roundstone Harbour. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/608/comment/2931/

Your Score: Very useful << >>Average

Picture from paddyhillsbagger : View back down to Owenglin valley

Picture: View back down to Owenglin valley

Start for Owenglin circuit

by paddyhillsbagger 20 Apr 2010

Actually climbed this top back in March 09 as part of the Owenglin circuit finishing on Benbaun and exiting via the forest tracks which neatly bring you back to the river crossing at point A. Splendid views were had the whole way round and we managed to get back to the hotel at Maam Cross to catch the rugby! Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/608/comment/4646/